Palace congratulates Pacquiao for retaining WBO title

MANILA – Malacanang joined the Filipino nation in congratulating Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao for retaining his WBO welterweight title via a dominating unanimous victory over erstwhile undefeated Chris Algierie of New York in Macao on Sunday.

”Strength, grit, and courage were written all over his face and demeanor throughout the fight. With every punch that scored, millions of Filipinos cheered him to victory from all corners of the country and the world,” he added.

Coloma said Pacquiao, a congressman from Saranggani province, embodied and personified the Filipino’s outstanding qualities.

”Congressman Manny Pacquiao embodies and personifies the Filipinos’ outstanding qualities — audacious, tenacious and conscientious — persevering in advancing a worthy cause, and unwavering even in the face of danger and adversity,” Coloma said.

Despite having shorter reach and five-year older, the 35-year-old Pacquiao unleashed his attacks with series of combinations that knocked down Algieri in the sixth, ninth and 10th rounds.

He said Pacquiao “is a worthy role model and wellspring of inspiration to all Filipinos who are striving to improve their well-being and attain a prosperous future,” Coloma said.

Pacquiao, in a post fight interview, said he is looking for a fight that boxing fans around world are looking for, a mega fight against undefeated Floy Mayweather Jr.